Maternal obesity and diabetes may increase the risk of cancer in offspring, according to research published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
A meta-analysis showed a significant positive association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and leukemia in offspring. Additionally, maternal diabetes was associated with an increased risk of any cancer, any leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in particular.
The meta-analysis encompassed 34 studies. The studies included 3,404,747 participants and 14,706 cases of childhood cancer across 5 countries.
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The researchers found that a high maternal BMI prior to pregnancy was associated with a significantly greater risk of any leukemia (odds ratio [OR] per 5-unit increase of BMI, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.11).
Any maternal diabetes was associated with an increased risk of any cancer (OR, 1.20; 95% CI,1.12-1.29), any leukemia (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.19-1.51), and ALL (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.28-1.67).
On the other hand, there was an inverse association between maternal diabetes and central nervous system tumors (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.97).
Pre-gestational diabetes was associated with an increased risk of any cancer (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.37), any leukemia (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05-1.89), and ALL (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.11-2.24).
Gestational diabetes was also associated with an increased risk of any cancer (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33), any leukemia (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08-1.61), and ALL (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.12-1.75).
“Maternal obesity and diabetes may be etiologically linked to pediatric cancer, particularly leukemia and central nervous system tumors,” the researchers concluded. “Our findings support weight management and glycemic control as important components of maternal and offspring health. Further validation is warranted.”
Reference
Marley AR, Domingues A, Ghosh T, Turcotte LM, Spector LG. Maternal BMI, diabetes, and gestational weight gain and risk for pediatric cancer in offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JNCI Cancer Spectr. Published online February 26, 2022. doi:10.1093/jncics/pkac020
